Collaborative Research: Characterization of Microwave Continuum Emission from Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray Air Showers

目前，有两种互补的方法来探测超高能宇宙射线（uhecr）：在地面阵列中直接探测粒子，以及间接观测粒子簇经过大气层时留下的激发粒子残余气体和等离子体的二次发射。后一种方法现在只应用于分子氮的光学荧光，但这不是唯一可能的发射通道。该小组建议通过研究由这些事件产生的广泛空气淋电离产生的微波分子轫致辐射观测超高能量宇宙射线的可行性，扩展后一种方法的范围。为此，他们将在阿根廷部署Airshower微波轫致辐射实验辐射计（AMBER）阵列，与俄歇天文台（Auger Observatory）一起观测uhecr。一个原型机正在夏威夷运行，并产生了宇宙射线起源事件的结果。该方法具有将间接观测方法扩展到100%占空比的潜力。研究人员通过与夏威夷大学马诺阿分校现有的QuarkNet中心合作的项目，为该项目寻求更广泛的影响，扩大目前的教师培训讲习班，包括无线电和微波教学部分，集中在高能宇宙粒子的无线电探测方面。这一教学和培训部分将为课程开发提供机会，同时还有一个种子项目，在夏威夷的一部分高中部署用于无线电科学研究的小型微波碟，以促进夏威夷缺乏教育的学生的科学培训。

Currently there are two complementary methods for the detection of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs): direct particle detection in ground arrays, and indirect observation of secondary emission from the residual gas of excited particles and plasma left when the shower of particles transits the atmosphere. The latter method is now applied only to optical fluorescence of molecular nitrogen, but this is not the only possible emission channel. This group proposes to extend the reach of this latter approach by studying the feasibility of observing ultra-high energy cosmic rays via microwave molecular bremsstrahlung radiation from the extensive air shower ionization produced by these events. To do this, they will deploy the Airshower Microwave Bremsstrahlung Experimental Radiometer (AMBER) array in Argentina for observation of UHECRs in conjunction with the Auger Observatory. A prototype is in operation in Hawaii and has produced results suggesting events of cosmic ray origin. The method has the potential to extend the indirect observation methods to a 100% duty cycle. The investigators seek a broader impact for the project through a program which partners with the existing QuarkNet center at the Univ. of Hawaii Manoa, to expand current teacher training workshops to include a radio and microwave teaching component, centered on aspects of radio detection of high energy cosmic particles. This teaching and training component will provide opportunities for curriculum development, along with a seed program to deploy small microwave dishes for radio science studies at a subset of high schools in Hawaii, to facilitate improvement in science training for Hawaii's underserved students.